Friday, November 27, 2009

This Sunday's DH course will be approximately 3 miles long and descend 1100 vertical feet. The trail is nicknamed by the locals as "Rail Trail". Basically it is a railing, twisting & turning trail where holding your line at high speed is key to fast times. The Route starts on a very fast fire road, then drops into 2 miles of railing single track trails. The trail network features many tight turns, high speed turns, natural drops, berms, all on very fast single track. There is also some strength check sections where pedaling and fitness determine who can reach the highest speeds. This route has been a favorite during each of the previous CCCX DH Series and is used at least once each season. Please remember the race is on Sunday!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

The dates for this year's Pro XC Tour have been announced, and not surprisely, NorCal has been excluded:

The American national cross country series, known in its current incarnation as the US ProXCT presented by US Cup, finalized its dates and venues for 2010. The series will visit six venues starting in March in California and ending in July in Colorado. Along the way, racers will also stop in Alabama and Wisconsin.

Three venues are not returning to the series. They include the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California, the Snow Shootout in Mount Snow, Vermont, and the Windham Cup in Windham, New York, which is hosting the 2010 World Cup final.

Monday, November 23, 2009

I must be off Northstar's christmas card list because this press release dropped this weekend:

Tara Llanes of the Race for Tara and Andy Buckley the director of Northstar Mountain have announced that October 2-3, 2010 as the official date of the Race for Tara 4. Once again the race will be held at the beautiful Northstar Resort at Tahoe in Tahoe, California.

The Race for Tara started three years ago by Brian and Thayne Bolin after champion downhill mountain biker, Tara Llanes, suffered a horrific crash while racing at the Jeep King of the Mountain event in Beaver Creek, Colorado. The event was started to help raise funds for Llanes and her ever-growing medical costs. In its first year Llanes was still in the hospital and only able to call in on the loudspeaker to say, "thank you" to everyone that participated. In the second year Llanes was actually able to drive to the race and show her appreciation to everyone. At this year's event, Llanes was able to not only be at the event, but she was able to participate and race down the mountain in a 4-wheeler DH bike. Now heading into it’s fourth year Llanes would like to give back more than ever.

The Mega DH course is back. Downieville DH Champ and WTB top pro, Mark Weir, was quoted as saying, “It was the most well balanced course the U.S. has ever had.” The 10-minute long course will test the endurance and skill of every participant. The courses will vary depending on the level of rider. There will be a $35 donation for all beginners, intermediates, and experts and a $40 donation for all semi-pro and pro.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Commencal is now accepting resumes for 2010 sponsorship. We are looking for top talent for our 2010 Grassroots program. If you think that you have what it takes send your resume or video to sponsorship@bti-usa.com or mail it to:

Commencal Grassroots1216 Mercantile RoadSanta Fe, NM 87507

Commencal is proud to build the best race bikes in the world, and is looking for the best riders to spread that vibe in the US. In your resume please include:

What discipline you race, and what Commencal model would best suit you.

What level are you racing? Past race results?

Goals for the future?

Age?

Hometown?

How will you represent Commencal in 2010?

What do you do in your area to help the sport grow?

Please make sure to provide a return address and email. Deadline 12/31/09

This is a brand new series being held at the Folsom Rodeo grounds. A challenging course has been laid out and anyone with a bicycle is welcome. So grab your cross bike... your mountain bike... or your neighbors bike. Come out and join in the fun at the all new Folsom Rodeo Cross.

Weekday NIGHT! Under the lights!! Shorter course within the lighted arena area.

Weekend DAYS! Under the sun!Includes all of the Weekday night course plus surrounding trails outside the rodeo grounds.

Friday, November 13, 2009

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with Easton Sports, has announced a voluntary recall on about 6,400 bikes with EA30 stems.

The bicycle stem can crack and cause the rider to lose control, posing a risk of serious injury if the rider falls. The company received a report of a stem breaking, causing a minor injury to the rider.

This recall involves all Raleigh 2007, XXIX 700c MTN, RX1.0, Diamondback 2007, Mission, and Sortie bicycles with EA30 stems. The EA30 stems are black with white-and-gray graphics and feature a four-bolt stem face cap."EA30" is printed on the stem. EA30 stems sold as aftermarket items are included in this recall.

They were sold at independent bicycle dealers nationwide from August 2007 through August 2009 for between $500 and $1,200. Aftermarket stems were sold from August 2007 through September 2009 for about $30. The stems were manufactured in China.

Consumers should immediately stop riding the bicycles and contact any authorized Easton Sports for a free replacement stem.

Monday, November 09, 2009

Sites (mostly) and dates are out for the 2010 USA Cycling National Championships:

USA Cycling announced today the dates and locations for the majority of its 2010 National Championship events. Next year, sixteen events will provide professional and amateur cyclists of all ages with opportunities to race for Stars-and-Stripes jerseys in five disciplines of competitive cycling. Of the fourteen events whose locations have been determined, nine are returning to their 2009 locations and five are headed to new host cities.

In June, ultra-endurance off roaders will make their way to Davis, W. Va., where the USA Cycling 24-Hour Mountain Bike National Championships will be held in conjunction with the 24 Hours of Big Bear. Scheduled for June 12-13, the competition will award Stars-and-Stripes jerseys in nine individual or team categories.

Fourteen more national titles will be up for grabs on the Fourth of July as ultra-endurance riders celebrate our nation’s independence at the USA Cycling Marathon Mountain Bike National Championships. The event returns to Breckenridge, Colo. for 2010 to be held in conjunction with the Firecracker 50.

Fat tire enthusiasts will head to a site yet be determined in the Rocky Mountains to battle it out on the dirt at the USA Cycling Mountain Bike National Championships, July 15-18. The event will award national titles to pros and amateurs in several disciplines of off-road racing including cross country, downhill, short track cross country, four-cross, single speed, and super D.

Student-athletes will meet again the following month for the second national championship event of their season – the USA Cycling Collegiate Mountain Bike National Championships. Slated for October 14-17, the event will return to the Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort in Truckee, Calif. where coeds will fight for bragging rights in cross country, short track cross country, downhill, and four-cross contests.

All unconfirmed dates and locations will be announced as soon as they become available.

Sunday, November 08, 2009

The Sea Otter Classic has added two new elements for 2010: a Gran Fondo and collegiate cycling categories ... Gran Fondo, or "Big Ride" as it's known in Italy, falls somewhere in between a century tour and a race. Open to all categories of riders, the Gran Fondo challenges you not to compete with your fellow cyclists, but to push yourself against the clock and the elements, all while taking in scenic views and enjoying great food ... The Gran Fondo will offer three fully supported ride distances: a 28-mile coastal route, a 45-mile coastal route and, for the more experienced riders, a 100-mile inland route. The short and middle distances wind along the coastal communities of Marina, Seaside, Monterey and Pacific Grove.

To ensure that there is no shortage of team rivalry at Sea Otter, open collegiate categories have been added to the 19-mile mountain bike Cross Country race scheduled for Sunday, April 18, 2010. Circuit racing will also play host to the young athletes, as a men's open collegiate category will be held on the famed Laguna Seca Raceway on Saturday, April 17, 2010."

Friday, November 06, 2009

With the 2009 season winding down, it's time to start looking towards 2010 and figuring out who's going to pay for all those entry fees:

FOX is a racing company and we support race events on a technical and grassroots level across the US and globe. If you have a team or are a rider that has what it takes, we want help with your success by sponsoring you with the best performing suspension on the market.

Thursday, November 05, 2009

After its national, one-night-only debut on Oct. 22, the documentary “Race Across the Sky” will play one more time.“Race Across the Sky” features the 2009 Leadville Trail 100, Lance Armstrong, Dave Wiens and a cast of thousands of adventurous souls taking on the epic high-elevation race out of Leadville, Colorado.The encore showing is back to select movie theaters nationwide for only one night on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. EST/ 7 p.m. CST/ 9 p.m. MST and 8 p.m. PST.

Monday, November 02, 2009

To help us celebrate our 20th Anniversary, take $10 off your entry fee. Just use Coupon Code SOC20YEAR01 when you register for your favorite Sea Otter event. This offer is good through November 30, 2009. We look forward to see you in April at the Sea Otter Classic Powered by SRAM!